More than 75% of the content of these publications applies to any nonprofit

ANCA developed this book for busy directors and staff people with many roles and responsibilities, and it includes chapters on five essential areas: leadership, strategic planning, boards, staff, and fund raising. It is a handbook for those new to the profession, and will also challenge and inspire the most experienced directors and their staffs. ANCA members have also found it valuable to give to board members and volunteers.Directors from 23 states and 40 different facilities reviewed and commented on the chapter drafts and evaluated the book's effectiveness. Development of the book was made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Victor & Colleen Elderton.

$60 plus shipping

Directions: Journal of the Association of Nature Center Administrators

A quarterly publication with articles, announcements, and commentaries relevant to the nature and environmental learning center profession. Written by directors and administrators in the field, each issue contains practical insights and advice that is relevant to nature center administration.

Free to members through the Member's Only portal. Download the most recent copy here.

Branding & Marketing Your Nature Centerby Greta Bolger

The purpose of this 70 page monograph is to provide nature organizations with a set of best practices that can be used to increase visibility and impact within their communities and beyond. The Best Practices outlined here are intended to guide marketing professionals at all levels, as well as specialists from other disciplines, in the development of a unified marketing strategy and a cost-effective, measurable tactical plan.

$15 plus shipping

Interpretive Design of Nature Centers: Buildingsby Donald Watson

This 40-page monograph is for nature center administrators, board members, and staff involved with planning new sites and buildings and/or remodeling existing sites and buildings for interpretation, exhibits, and educational programs.

$12 plus shipping

Interpretive Design of Nature Centers: Exhibitsby Donald Watson

This 32-page monograph provides guidelines and recommendations for undertaking an exhibit design project in new or existing sites and spaces. Topics include interpretive planning, visitor studies, interpretive artifacts and anecdotes, outdoor exhibits and interpretive trails, and evaluation. Suggested formats are provided for selecting and managing exhibit consultants and coordinating exhibits with buildings and sites.

$12 plus shipping

Programming - Citizen Scienceby Michelle Prisby and Paul Super

Citizen science is a research and educational tool that involves everyday people in real and meaningful forms of science, including biological inventory, long-term monitoring, and research. This 52-page monograph was developed to outline best practices in developing a citizen science program.

$12 plus shipping

Programs by Ken Voorhis and Richard Haley

An 88-page monograph that shares great ideas and best practices about what is going on in the nature and environmental learning center programming field, what the standards are, and what is out there that is exceptionally noteworthy. Topics include core program principals, how to create excellent programs, what do great programs and teaching look like, and much more. Appendices include specific program information, planning tools, and evaluation forms. It's must-have resource for you and your program staff!

Currently out of stock

The Nature Center Book: How to Create and Nurture a Nature Center in Your Communityby Brent Evens and Carolyn Chipman Evans

Published by the National Association for Intrepretation's InterpPress, The Nature Center Book provides up-to-date information and expanded discussion of topics key to nature center development. It outlines lessons learned and important new developments in the field.This edition includes updated information regarding organizations and resources, as well as expanded coverage of financial and organizational issues and government-based nature centers. The book, printed in full color, features more than 200 photographs.

Developed to outline a best practices process to engage and complete a successful search and screen for a center's next extraordinary leader, this 42 page monograph includes what to look for in a new leader; how to prepare your center for successful change; protocols for searching, screening, and transitioning; and much more.